Thursday, March 29, 2012

If you opened this with the expectation that I would be talking about something of a sexual nature, then I am sorry to have to disappoint you, but that is not what this chapter is about. When I say "pulling out," I am referring to when you are in your car. Those times when you are at a stop sign and no one seems to want to go, (even though we [should] all know that the person on the right goes first) so you all start going at once and do the gas-break-[dip;]-gas-break dance till someone grows a pair and decides, "I'll be the one, geez!" Or those other times when you are in your car and there is a pedestrian who can't make up their mind if they're in a hurry, can wait a few, or if they're even at the right intersection, so you usually end up almost hitting them because you decide to go at the same time. And there's also those times when you and another car are situated and they're waiting for you to pull out and make your turn so they can make theirs, but they're still in motion, so you can't really tell what's going on or what you're supposed to do.

This, like umbrella etiquette, is something that seems so simple and understandable, yet we all struggle with it and are forced to face these situations time and time again. I would like to pose some solutions to the aforementioned problems.

For instance, when you are at a stop sign and no one seems to want to go, WAVE to each other to signal one another. Some people just sit there and act like there's nothing going on, expecting you to read their mind or something and figure out what they want from you. If everyone would just pick their heads up and turn on their brains to a little higher level of functionality, we could probably avoid this frustrating scenario.

Next a note for all pedestrians: YOU HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY. If it is you v. vehicle, go ahead! Unless you are one of those horribly obnoxious people that thinks the world is your crosswalk and you can just mosey on across the street at whatever snail-pace suits you, with no regard for the people around you, then you need to get a grip and realize that it is not your world and I'm not just living in it, we share, and I am in something that could decimate you. Thanksss. And do not get mad and in a tissy at me because you waited so long to make your move that I decided to make mine, coincidentally when you finally begin to move, and we almost have a scene out of "Crash" on our hands. But again, here a simple wave or gesture of "no, you go ahead," would be quite suitable and alleviate many of the problems we have. It would probably save some lives in the process. Win, win? I think so!

And finally, for those people who expect you to make your left or right turn while they are still moving towards you in the process of making their right turn, even though there is clearly not a wide enough space for two cars to fit by, STOP. They're called breaks, and we could all benefit from an increase in their use. You can't look at me and wave me forward when you are still moving, we will never both fit. At least not in our non-Inspector Gadget cars.

Problems and solutions, people! We've all got em, and I am here to try and fix them. ;-)

I apologize that it has been so long since my last post, and that this one holds a certain sense of hostility, but I do live in LA now, and my writing tone is always influenced by what I am reading and watching. Which is currently Harry Potter #5 (no, not rereading, just finally reading), and since I spent my entire lunch hour yesterday watching Jenna Marbles videos on Youtube...... Well, you get where I'm going with this. And if not, Google her, watch her, laugh, and love.

Today's Quote: "A person without a sense of humor is like a wagon without springs. It's jolted by every pebble on the road." Henry Ward Beecher

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Today we begin our second topic about awkward moments. Yesterday we talked about elevators, and today we move on to UMBRELLAS!

Before I studied abroad in Spain I never took an umbrella anywhere with me. There was something about walking around in the pouring rain and getting drenched that I actually enjoyed at times, and couldn't be bothered to carry around an umbrella the rest. A hood was my defense mechanism of choice until I spent 9 months living in the Basque Country, where it rains about 70% of the time. So when you consider that I was there from September to May it breaks down to about 2 weeks of sun when we got there, 3 weeks before I left, and random sunny, beautiful, beach days scattered in between. Now don't get me wrong, that isn't to say it's not a place to go, and that it was miserable and rainy, I am just painting a picture for you to understand the total awkwardness I am about to tell of.

In Europe you walk almost everywhere you go. To the bus stop, the metro, the market, stores, where ever. It is uncommon to hop in your car and drive 5 minutes to the store when you can just walk there and bring your basket-on-wheels along. This means that the beautiful cobble stone sidewalks are generally fairly full with foot traffic, and when it rains in Bilbao EVERYONE carries and uses an umbrella. When you have a sidewalk that is usually wide enough for just two people and you throw rain, baby strollers, dogs, and umbrellas into the mix, things tend to get a bit, well, awkward. Now I don't know if there was some umbrella etiquette handbook that I missed getting upon passing through customs, but I do know that I had no idea of the flow that everyone else did. In order to pass by one another, no matter how wide or narrow your path, one person has to raise their umbrella up, and the other pull it down. This enables both people to walk by one another while remaining dry and not hitting each other with their umbrellas, and looks like some sort of Target commercial. I'm assuming by this point you are getting where I'm going with this...

I cannot count the number of times I whacked people with my umbrella, went up instead of down, twirled in circles to try and navigate myself around without inflicting injury on those around me, or just flat out got stuck with someone else's umbrella. And because yo soy Americana (I am American), they were not pleased with my misunderstanding of umbrella maneuvering, to say the least. Many, many "lo siento"-s (I'm sorry) were said, as well as my usual noises, facial expressions, and meaningless half-word/half-sound utterings. I am notorious for making a situation a bit more awkward than it needs to be, so these situations were an almost-daily struggle. And this doesn't even get into the times I would walk into a room and shake off my umbrella just to splatter those around me, or open it and almost take someone out!

I still do not understand umbrella etiquette and have faced situations like these in Chico since that time, so I can only thank the Lord that I am now living in LA, where umbrellas are seldom used, and walking everywhere is highly uncommon. Although I do miss those days. . . .

As you can see, there are many situations that are awkward. This one is a little off-beat and not experienced by all, but I know there are a good deal of you out there that have encountered situations just like these. Send me any you can think of, I am going to try and continue this saga as long as I can. And let me assure you, some of the ideas in my mind are a little...dirtier, so be sure to keep up ;)

Today's Quote: "A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way." -Mark Twain

My dad emailed me this video a few days ago and it wasn't until yesterday that I actually watched it. It brought tears to my eyes and a combination of sadness, joy, and disbelief to my heart, and I just wanted to share it with you all. It relates to 9-11, so be prepared.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Everyone encounters them throughout their life and has to deal with them at some time or another. That's right, I'm talking about awkward moments. Because I just started a new job I have become increasingly aware of all the different kinds of awkward moments that we have to face, and therefore have decided to embark on a mini-series if you will all about them!

Everyone who is put in an awkward situation is left with the same exact feelings and tends to react in the same ways-- discomfort, uncertainty, and a dash of uncomfortable, then you throw in the awkward smile/grin, diverted eyes, or sudden need to check your cellular, and there you are, in an awkward moment thinking "uhhh..what should I do/say now?"

I find it only appropriate to begin this journey down Awkward Lane with elevators. Every single day I ride the elevator up 8 floors and back down again at least once, and I have only had one experience that differs from the normal awkward situation I described above. An elevator is a very close, compact space which means you are in relatively close proximity to the others around you, regardless whether you know them or not. I have found that generally people do not speak in elevators, even if they are among friends, but then when someone is exiting, you bid each other a due and wish them a good day. Very friendly and very conversational in comparison to the last few minutes you shared.

The most interesting thing for me is that I can be packed wall-to-wall in an elevator with friends, but unless there is a camera out and mirrors inside, we rarely speak. When I was in Vegas a few weekends back we all piled into an elevator, and fell silent. There's just something about them that makes people turn into a deaf-mute.

The worst is when there are only two of you in it. When it is down to the final two how do you react? Do you ask them how their day is going or how they are doing? Do you pretend they aren't there at all and continue to watch the numbers light up and pass by above the door? Or do you just close your eyes and take the moment as a calming and relaxing one? There are so many ways to react in these elevator situations. I had a pleasurable elevator moment yesterday on my adventure to Floor 8. There were a number of us in the elevator and when the third person exited, leaving myself and another woman, I simply said, "And then there were two." She responded with a good amount of laughter and said, "That's a good title." Not going to lie, in my head I immediately had visions of myself as a television or movie writer of some sort, even if just the show titles. Because I work in the entertainment industry, I validate this thought as completely normal. :)

So there you have it, the beginning of my first mini-series (because clearly the Guilty Pleasures one failed to ever make it past Chapter 1). Expect many more of these posts, and please feel free to write me with any awkward situations you can think of or moments you have had, I am always looking to have a good laugh at the expense of someone else's awkwardness. ;)

Today's Quote: This is completely made up off the top of my head right now simply because I have been manifest destiny-ing a lot of things in my life lately. So I really just want to say... "Manifest your destiny! Dream it, believe it, and you shall no doubt achieve it!"

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Well folks I finally did something I set out to do! I came on this massive roadtrip with the hopes of finding myself a job down here in Los Angeles, and while it may not be a permanent position, it certainly is a paying job! I am back at Disney's ABC working in the communication administration department. It's a 6-week temp job, but could turn into something more permanent somewhere. So I have moved myself down to LA, into my uncles' home, and am beginning the next chapter of my life.

It's very strange jumping into this type of thing so quickly. I came down here to go to a few interviews and meetings, catch up with people I worked with during my internship, visit close friends, and try to snoop out a job. I never in a million years would have expected that me dropping in to say hi to a few old colleagues would lead to a short-term position right back where I was only a matter of months ago. But in a way it's very fitting, and in a strange way could have been expected simply because of how things go in my life. It is full of the unexpected, crazy things happening at crazy times, and little surprises that only God knows about.

I didn't have any time to adjust to the idea of moving out of Chico, so it's probably a good thing that I will be going back this weekend to gather my wardrobe and get in one last night of debauchery with my friends! And then it will be back down to LA, where I have pretty much always belonged, to continue my "adult life" and try to really make my mark in the world. In an interview I had last week one of the questions was about my long-term goals, goal for the next 5-10 years. I answered by saying that I will have moved up in the company from where I started and all that good stuff, but my biggest focus was the fact that I will be a force to be reckoned with in whatever industry or job I am doing. It's something that I've always thought, wanted, and known would come of my life, but to actually vocalize it that way felt so amazing. I think my confidence increased a few decibels in that sentence alone.

I would like to pose a "mission" to you all for the rest of the week... figure out what your goals are in life. Make them as big and outrageous as you possibly can. Say them to yourself, write them down, or if you're feeling like letting it all out, tell someone you know. Manifest destiny is a real thing and you can really apply it to your life if you believe and try. Keep God with you and He will enable you to do all things. Life is a crazy, messy ride, but it is the most wonderful thing that we can ever do. It is up to us to make it our own and make it what we want it to be, so don't hold back and no matter if it's the millionth time you've heard it, live your life with no regrets!! And if you need a little motivation to get out there and do something crazy, here are some pictures from our wonderful triple-threat-bday-bash of a weekend in LAS VEGAS! :)

Can you say TWINNING!?!

Triple-Threat

Today's Quote: "A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions." -Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.

Friday, March 2, 2012

What is it about Las Vegas that makes people lose their minds, act like they never have before, reach new heights, get wild, hop into limos with strangers, and run around in the most outrageous things you could possibly find, and would only expect to see in Jersey Shore!? Vegas has an aura about it that says, "come as you are, be who you want to be, put up any kind of front, and get as crazy as you possibly can, because what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas (unless it's herpes;)!" It is one exquisite city, that's for dang sure. All the shows, people, entertainment, casinos, clubs, bars, pool parties, and heat make it a one of a kind place to go, be, and see.

I think there are a few main reasons why people go to Vegas, and they are as follows:

You want to escape the (possibly) sad reality of your life. A getaway is what you need to just release everything within and feel free for even just a few days.

You're bored and have decided, "let's go to Vegas!"

You are going because EDC (Electric Daisy Carnival) is now there. :)

You've never been and are visiting the United States (or possibly not even visiting from outside the country) and know that of all the cities in the country to see, it is right up there with Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York City, and the Grand Canyon.

And then my personal favorite and most used reason...You have been before, therefore realizing that it is one of the greatest places in the world and know you have to go back at least once a year.

And as I mentioned in my last post, I will be leaving for the lovely LV in just a matter of hours. We will be having a triple-threat-bday-bash to celebrate Papa Bear Reeces Pieces birthday, Sassy Sam's 21st (!!!!!), and my birthday! It is going to be quite a joy. We will be attending Bassnectar at the Palms tomorrow and I couldn't be more excited than to be celebrating the big 2-3 with some of my dearest friends, in Las Vegas, while breaking my neck to some Bassneez! Hop on my Twitter and follow me around, I will try to post some pix to take you on the trip with us! :) Enjoy your life and have fun this weekend! Especially if you're in Cali, it's beach weather baby! Get out there and catch some rays!!

Today's Quote: "How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are?" -Satchel Paige

For me, the answer to that is simple... Some days I would be 7, some 15, some 21, some 26, some 30, and others about 65. Haha. Varying maturity levels and actions depending on the given situation. :)

Thursday, March 1, 2012

People freak out about age far too often, I believe. The big ones that are actually worth tripping out over, in my opinion, are your 1st birthday (I mean, obviously, that is a fairly big landmark in a person's life. Even if we never remember it.), 13th (yay, I'm a teenager now!), 16th (Sweet 16? I will never really understand the great appeal to this one..), 18th (awesome, I can legally kill my lungs, pollute my mind, and be considered an "adult," no matter how far from the truth that may be), 21st (for very, very obvious reasons to us Americanos), 25th (a quarter century, if you so make it that far in the end anyways), 30th (probably the best year EVER), then from there I would say you go by 10's. And if you make it to the majorly old age of 100, you. GO. HARD!

Many of my friends and I are coming into our 23rd years of life, and the reactions have been very mixed. And while I don't think that any birthday should go uncelebrated, or that 23 is really that big of a deal, it still kind of is. At least for a bunch of us it marks the year that we are finally done with college and beginning to come into our "adult lives." Most of my friends have been and are dreading turning 23 and think there is absolutely no draw to it. People stress out and say that after you turn 21 it's all downhill from there. Well to all you naysayers out there I say, "STOP! That is ludicrous for you to think that way!"

I consider myself to be incredibly blessed that I can truly and honestly say that each year of my life seems to be even better than the last. It could be because I get wiser with each year that passes, but I think that it is because I just don't stop having fun. I can turn just about anything into a joke, try not to take myself too seriously, and love to have a good time wherever and with whomever. You never know how long you're going to be on mother earth, so you might as well live it up and have a good time while you still can!

The whole reason for all this word-vomit is that this past Sunday (February 26th) was MY 23rd birthday! It is a day I was looking forward to since just a couple months after my 22nd, and a year that I know and feel will be one of the greatest yet! I am going to begin my "big girl life" and move my butt back down to LA where it belongs, I will likely begin a career or some sort of job (that I absolutely love, of course, why bother doing anything else!?), and watch my life transform before my eyes. It will be glorious. You all are in for quite a treat as we embark on this journey together.

Once again, I apologize that it has been so many days. I am on a whirlwind road/"business" trip for a couple weeks and have been without internet this entire week. 8-O And considering that I am leaving for Las Vegas tomorrow to celebrate my birthday in correlation with two other friends', I can pretty much assure you that I will not be posting again until Sunday. Apologies in advance dear friends. Te quiero mucho!

Today's Quote: "All the world is birthday cake, so take a piece, but not too much." -George Harrison